Values supercede looks on TV!

Kannada serials have finally come of age with the focus being on inner beauty as opposed to good looks.

A scene from Muddu Lakshmi

It doesn’t matter if a person is dark or fair or even how one looks. It’s our value that matters more than the colour of our skin. Period. Gladly, the entertainment world these days is looking at some values too and it’s a healthy sign than just showcasing the ‘physical’ beauty in everything. While inner beauty needs no explanation, the entertainment industry had limited its presence to the physical quotient for ages till it started changing, to some extent, as the mindset of the audiences had also evolved. While many still feel that it is physical beauty that looms large on the present scree n— be it small or big from advertisements to entertainments, there has been some progress as films and the TV industry is also showcasing women of substance too. The Kannada small screen has been witnessing a few changes earning accolades from some of its tele-serial ventures, the recent one being Brahmagantu, and the latest to hit the small world is Muddu Lakshmi on Star Suvarna. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on the changing values.

The makers of the tele-serial Muddu Lakshmi rightly put it when talking about what it stands for: “In a time when looks are valued over values, when an entire generation of youth is bending backwards to lighten their skin tone, Muddu Lakshmi wears her skin colour as a badge of pride.”

Explaining the phenomena, Naveen, a director feels that when a show or programme is conceptualised, the casting obviously depends on the script and the subject but a majority of such works are always portrayed by so called good looking men and women. “A majority of characters are glorified on how they look with make up. For instance, family members are seen all decked up in jewels and party wear even inside their homes doing nothing but regular household chores. Does that happen in real life? One can understand that entertainment is about escaping reality but not to an extent that it looks ridiculous,” he adds.

Whereas, producer Santosh feels that casting is an important part and at the end of the day the the product should be appealing. “It is not that actors are discriminated based on how they look or their skin colour. But at times, situation demands for a particular role and we choose the best for it. More than anything it is the scripts which should work on bringing in more dimensions. And the director’s job would rest on how to show it best.”

Brahmagantu, has been a great success which takes on body shaming and instilling faith amongst many such obese people who are low on confidence. It revolves around an overweight girl who overcomes all odds winning the hearts of her loved ones.

While Muddu Lakshmi highlights women who are subjected to humiliation, insecurity and ridicule because of how the world judges them on their look. The character Muddul Lakshmi fights such stigmas and stereotypes and is a beacon of hope and love for everybody around her, says the team. The titular character is being played by Ashwini, with Charith Balanna essaying the role of Dhruvanth along with Anu Poovamma, who has played lead in many movies, has donned the role of Aishwarya. Directed by Dharani G Ramesh watch Muddu Lakshmi on Star Suvarna channel at 7.30 pm between Monday and Saturday.